|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 14 March 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
US $ 600 m Korean investment for Dedduwa Tourist Resort by Tharika Goonathilake The Government will shortly sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the tune of US$ 600 million (around Rs. 60 billion) with a consortium of Korean investors for the development of the Dedduwa Lake Resort. Arrangements have been finalised for the MoU to be signed following Minister Lokuge's return from the UK where he is currently attending the World Travel Mart, official and industry sources told the Daily News yesterday. This ambitious tourism development initiative, encompassing 2000 acres of land, covering the picturesque Dedduwa Lake and its environs- about 42 miles to the south of Colombo- has been drawn up in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and Ministry of Southern Development. The Ministries envisage raising investments to the tune of over Rs. 1 billion through this proposed enterprise, while developing the area as a designated tourist zone in the Dedduwa electorate. The mega development initiative, which is also the second stage of the Government's Bentota Holiday Resort development drive, envisages developing a Rs 600 million, 200 acre race course cum training centre for jockeys, a 380 acre golf course- the largest in this country-, an observatory tower with a restaurant and other leisure infrastructure eco-tourism and aqua- sports, and an amusement park, based on the Disneyland concept. Also on the cards, is a floating restaurant on the lake, which covers around 500 acres with a number of small islands. The area is also known for its rich avifauna. The land earmarked for the project has been hitherto abandoned and the development initiative has been introduced to bring in much needed economic incentives and generate employment opportunities. "Bentota's image is based on the sun, sea and sand. The area is one of the country's most popular tourist locations but this geographical expanse can be further fostered through a mega-development project of this nature," sources said. At present there are six leading hotels in Bentota and a large number of smaller scale hotels and restaurants. The area which holds the credit for being Sri Lanka's first beach resort locality, is widely sought after by the sea, sun and sand travellers. But the new program aims at developing, the huge potential for other tourists generating initiatives such as eco-tourism, water sports and other related activities, sources said. The project will be developed in phases to ensure that sustainable development will be in accordance with the highest standards, giving due consideration for the expansion of infrastructure facilities and environmental concerns, they added. ########### 'Savour Sri Lanka' a hit in India The Outbound Travel Mart - India the exclusive OTM which enables both outbound and overseas operators to tap both Mumbai and Delhi was held in February. The Mumbai travel mart was held from 15th - 17th February at the World Trade Center while the Delhi mart was held 20th - 22nd February at the Ashok Hotel. Exhibitors from 24 countries displayed their tourism products occupying over 250 booths at each city. Trade visitors (over 3000) representing the Indian travel industry and over 35,000 individual travellers who seek new destinations for their holidays attended the two trade fairs. The Sri Lanka pavilion of 27 sq m at each city was well received by visitors due to its attractiveness. The arrangements for Sri Lanka participation was carried out by Trac Representations (India) Pvt Ltd,. the Board's representatives in India. This year's theme was "Savour Sri Lanka". It was adjudged as one of the first three best designed with Malaysia and Thailand booths. Sri Lanka was adjudged as the best team of travel agents representing a country. A special quiz was carried out at the Sri Lanka stall in both Delhi and Mumbai where each visitor was given a paper with the Sri Lanka map on which they had to identify 11 cities of Sri Lanka and match it with the correct stickers. In addition there were three questions below the map that had to be answered before they were entitled to the lucky draw. The prizes were a 19 piece Noritake porcelain set and a tour to Sri Lanka offered by SriLankan airlines. Two porcelain sets were offered on complimentary basis by Noritake Pvt Ltd for which adequate publicity was given. This lucky draw attracted a large number of visitors to the Sri Lanka stall and visitors who participated in the competition were given a small souvenir with the Sri Lanka Tourism logo. Aitken Spence Travels, Walkers Tours, Jetwing Travels, Hemtours, Connaissance De Ceylan, Gulliver's Travels, N-car Travels, Tour East, Rosen tours and SriLankan Airlines represented the local travel industry at the two travel marts. ########### Grand plans for GOH The Grand Oriental (GOH) one of Colombo's old citadels and matriarch hotels will enhance its services and facilities this year, backed by a Rs 5 million expansion project. The investment, will see the construction of a state-of-the-art 100 pax special conference room for meetings, conferences and exhibitions as well as a gymnasium for the hotel, Director/General Manager of GOH Lanil Jayawardane told the Daily News. "The GOH has enjoyed much patronage by those who are nostalgic for the bygone era and by the young couples hosting weddings and receptions. But, there is an increasing demand for conference facilities and meetings on a large-scale," he said. The 70 room hotel, has embarked on the new plan with the aim of catering to this growing demand, he said. According to Jayawardane, lack of space has been a major constraint in expanding the hotel's facilities, which is situated in the heart of the City, but following the Bank of Ceylon's decision to release the area that was formerly used by the Bank, the GOH, has been able to launch the expansion plan. The Bank of Ceylon claimed a significant portion of the GOH premises several years ago due to certain financial commitments, that could not be met by the GOH. However, Jayawardane, a graduate of the prestigious Cornell University, USA has been able to ``turn things around'' for the GOH, with increasing profit margins.'' TG |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
